Reece James scored as Chelsea secured a 1-2 victory against Copenhagen in Denmark, MySportDab reports.
The Blues clinched a narrow 2-1 victory over FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League Round of 16 clash at Telia Parken Stadium.
The match, played in Denmark saw the Blues dominate possession but face a spirited challenge from the Danish side.
Full Match Report
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances going forward.
Chelsea had more of the ball but found it difficult to break down Copenhagen’s disciplined defense as they progressed.
The hosts, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the counterattack but failed to seriously test Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
The breakthrough came just after halftime when Reece James fired a stunning 25-yard strike past Copenhagen’s goalkeeper to give Chelsea the lead in the 46th minute.
The goal injected confidence into the visitors, who continued to press forward in search for another one which did not come immediately.
Their persistence paid off in the 65th minute when Enzo Fernández capitalized on a defensive mistake to double Chelsea’s advantage.
Despite being two goals down, Copenhagen refused to back down easily as they looked dangerous and made opportunities.
They found a lifeline in the 79th minute when Gabriel Pereira rose above the Chelsea defense to head home a well-delivered cross, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
The goal reignited the home crowd and gave the Danish side hope ahead of the second leg despite losing.
Chelsea managed to see out the game without conceding another goal, but they will regret allowing Copenhagen to score late.
The away victory gives them a slight advantage heading into the return leg at Stamford Bridge, though Copenhagen will believe they still have a chance to turn the tie around.
The second leg promises to be an exciting contest, with Chelsea aiming to finish the job and Copenhagen looking to pull off an upset.
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